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All Israel Eilon Monfort Fortress

Monfort Fortress

A secluded fortress from the days of the Crusades that offers breathtaking views.

Eilon, Israel

Added By
Erez Speiser
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Monfort Fortress   ErezSpeiser / Atlas Obscura User
Monfort Fortress   ErezSpeiser / Atlas Obscura User
Kizv stream below the Monfort.   ErezSpeiser / Atlas Obscura User
Monfort Fortress.   ErezSpeiser / Atlas Obscura User
The WatchTower.   ErezSpeiser / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Israel is blessed with several well preserved Crusader fortress. What makes the Monfort special is the stunning setting and that it can be reached via a relatively short hike. It's also one of the lesser-known Crusader fortresses. 

The British pastor, Henry Baker, visited the place in 1863 and wrote:

"After a very slow ride for three and a half hours, we reached the edge of the trail ... and another three miles later, we will discover the fort on the edge of a spur. It's hard to describe this ruin... Imagine a rocky tongue rising between two 180 meters cliffs, and its ribs are almost perpendicular to the riverbed."

It was constructed by the Teutonic Order (a Catholic German order founded in Acre in 1190). The Teutons were not popular with other Crusaders who were mostly French. They built the castle in 1228 at a secluded location that suited their worldview, where they could live and operate in a closed and isolated society. 

The fort's buildings and watchtower are scattered on a steep spur and can be seen from afar. From the fortress, there is a wide vista of the surrounding Galilee mountains and the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon.

Another attraction is the Kziv stream that runs just below the cliff. It makes for an excellent additional short hike and a refreshing swim during the summer.

Related Tags

Fortresses Architecture Crusades History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The Monfort is free of charge and open to the public 24/7.

To reach the structure park near the small settlement Hila and follow the Red Marked hiking path for about 1.5 kilometers until you reach the fortress. After the visit go back the same way, or continue further downhill and visit Kziv stream.

Community Contributors

Added By

ErezSpeiser

Published

July 13, 2020

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Sources
  • https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Qd8TAAAAIAAJ
  • https://hike-israel.com/inntoinn/yamleyam-2/monfort-fortress/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montfort_Castle
Monfort Fortress
Eilon
Israel
33.044456, 35.226619

Nearby Places

Akhzivland

Nahariya, Israel

miles away

Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

Acre, Israel

miles away

Beit Jann

Beit Jann, Israel

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Israel

Israel

Middle East

Places 84
Stories 26

Nearby Places

Akhzivland

Nahariya, Israel

miles away

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miles away

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Beit Jann, Israel

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Israel

Israel

Middle East

Places 84
Stories 26

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